WWII and Korean War veterans honored | News, Sports, Jobs – SANIBEL-CAPTIVA

An annual event honoring veterans was redesigned this year to include not only World War II veterans, but also those from the Korean War.

Previously the “Spirit of ’45”, The commemoration will continue this year and is now called “Greetings to our heroes ’45 and ’53” and the organizers are looking for veterans to participate. Since the number of veterans of World War II has steadily declined, the organizers decided to invite veterans of the “America’s Forgotten War” fought between 1950 and 1953.

Event co-chairs include Bill Zacovic, an Army veteran who has been involved in previous recognition events; Steve Epkins, a retired Army colonel who, along with Zacovic, is heavily involved in JROTC in the area and recently spearheaded the re-establishment of the Lee County Veterans Advisory Committee; and military supporter Kim Gaide.

Organizers hope that all Lee County World War II and Korean War veterans who have not attended the event in past years, as well as past participants, will participate in what they hope will be a meaningful celebration of their service.

“The veterans of the Korean War always felt that they were the forgotten war,” Epkins said. “We’ve all seen the videos of World War II and how happy everyone was, all the parades and how they were welcomed. And I can tell you that Korean War veterans didn’t get a welcome home gift. And even I, as a Vietnam veteran, was spat on at the San Francisco airport and called a ‘baby killer’ when I retired. So that was my welcome home gift after a year in Vietnam.”

The Saluting Our Heroes event will be held on August 11th from 4:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at the Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers. The event is free for World War II and Korean War veterans and their guests. For all other participants, tickets are $50 per person, as the event is open to everyone.

Dinner will be served from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m., followed by the Veterans Honors and Ceremony from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. Valet parking will be provided. Veterans in attendance will be honored with red, white and blue ribbons and a commemorative coin will be minted.

“We should never miss an opportunity to thank our veterans,” said Zacovic. “Especially those who fought. The conflicts of World War II and the Korean War were worth remembering. The people who took part in them deserve all our respect and remembrance. It can be that simple. We should never miss an opportunity to thank them and honor them for what they did.”

The ceremony includes a presentation of the national colors, a pledge of allegiance and the national anthem; a service for prisoners of war/missing men (missing men’s table), a wreath ceremony; videos and speeches from World War II and the Korean War, a flag folding ceremony; bagpipes and drums “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes; guard of honour/firing squad for three volleys; echo of the tattoo and patriotic songs.

“The event helps the community keep alive the memory of the achievements of these men and women,” said Zacovic. “We should never forget what they had to do, and this event honors and contributes to that. The veterans who are there feel special and are grateful that the community is thanking them again.”

“Thank God we had a great military that answered the call of duty and for the sacrifices they made and the sacrifices their families made while they were deployed,” added Epkins.

Zacovic said any military supporters who are not veterans in the community should not miss the event. Veterans will share tables with members of the public.

“It is an intimate atmosphere in which the people sitting at this table with you can be part of living history,” he said. “You can listen to stories. You can ask them questions. I don’t know who would want to miss this opportunity. For the World War II veterans, whose numbers are rising at an alarming rate, this could be the last opportunity to tell their stories and people can hear their stories live.”

Sponsorship makes the event possible and the organizers are looking for support to ensure that the event can take place. “Sponsor-A-Vet” The program will cover the cost of one veteran’s meal. The sponsor’s name or the name of a veteran will be listed on the program.

Reservations must be made by August 1st and tickets must be paid for by August 6th.

To make a reservation or for more information, contact Gaide at [email protected] or 239-209-6160. Once reservations are made, a check or money order should be made payable to VFW District 13.

Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club is located at 10420 Washington Palm Way, Fort Myers.